Ford has proven that the populist formula shouldn’t be underestimated

The Ontario premier has established the template for the federal Conservatives as they search out an election strategy to overcome their lack of an inspiring leader or compelling policies.

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford wasted no time after becoming premier last month to sound the dog whistle on immigration that has been the foundation of much of the populist uprising in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, argues Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

OTTAWA—When it appeared that Doug Ford was on his way to landing the job of Ontario premier, a lot of people tried to reassure themselves that the Progressive Conservative leader, while a coarse, macho populist, was no Donald Trump.

Guide to Using Social and Digital Tools in Election Campaigns: Digital and Social Tools that Politicos are Using to get Elected, Raise Funds, and Recruit VolunteersGuide to Using Social and Digital Tools in Election Campaigns

Unless Trudeau plans to be out on these streets, fighting against police brutality or in cabinet drafting legislation to curb police powers, his, and all the other white voices of his ilk, have no merit here.

'I do agree that things need to be implemented as quickly as possible. We could've done this a lot sooner. The good news is that we’re doing it now and announcing it today,' says Transport Minister Marc Garneau.